Peanut also known as groundnut and “Mungfali” in Hindi is a crop which is globally very important. It is widely grown in tropics and sub tropics regions. Peanut is classified as a grain legume and also as oil crop due to its high oil content. Biggest producer of peanut is China. Some other producers are Africa, India and America. Peanuts are similar in taste and peanuts nutritional value (1) to tree nuts such as walnut, pecans, hazelnuts and almonds. There are several peanut benefits for overall body.
Peanuts are best grown in light, sandy loam soil and requires 5 months of warm weather and 500-1000mm of water. They are eaten raw, used in recipes, made into oil, for textile materials, peanut butter and many other uses. Major importers of peanuts are European, Union, Canada, Japan. Peanuts are rich in anti-oxidants and various other nutrients.
Health benefits of Peanuts
Regulates Blood Sugar
Manganese in peanut benefits in calcium absorption, fats and carbohydrates metabolism and sugar level regulation in blood .
Fights Depression
Low Serotonin (2) levels leads to depression. Tryptophan (3) in peanuts increases the release of this chemical and thus helps you fight depression.
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Gall Stones
Just an ounce of peanuts or two tbsp of organic peanut butter benefits from gall stones or gall bladder diseases with 25% reduced risk.
Low Risk of Weight Gain
Women who eat peanuts or peanut butter at least twice a week are less likely to be susceptible to obesity than those who don’t because of low calories in peanuts.
Colon Cancer
Peanuts nutrition for women can reduce colon cancer. Eating at least 2 spoons of peanut butter twice a week can reduce the risk of colon cancer in women by up to 58% and in men by up to 27%. This is one of the best benefits of peanuts for women.
Helps in Fertility
Peanut for women if taken before and during early pregnancy, the folic acid lowers the risk of baby being born with serious neural tube defects reduced by up to 70%.
Anti-oxidants
Peanuts nutrition contain anti-oxidants in high concentrations. These anti-oxidants become more active when peanuts are boiled. There is a 2-fold increase in Biochanin-A (4) and 4-fold increase in Genistein (5) content. These reduce the damage done by free radicals produced in the body.
Vitamins
Peanuts contain B complex, vitamins like niacin, riboflavin, thiamin, vitamin B6, vitamin B9, pantothenic acid etc.
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Mineral
Potassium, manganese, copper, calcium, magnesium, iron, selenium and zinc are some of the minerals in peanuts. These play an important role in many different body functions.
Fights Stomach Cancer
Poly-phenolic anti-oxidants are present in the peanuts in high concentrations. P-Coumaric acid (6) has the ability to reduce the risk of stomach cancer by reducing the productions of carcinogenic nitrous-amines.
Fights against Nerves Diseases and Infections
A poly-phenolic anti-oxidant, resveratrol (7) present in peanut benefits helps to prevents heart disease, cancers, nervous diseases and viral or fungal infections efficiently.
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Reduces the Chances of Stroke
The anti-oxidant, resveratrol in peanuts prevents heart strokes by increasing the production of nitric oxide.
Cholesterol
It lowers bad cholesterol and increases good cholesterol in the body. Peanuts contain mono-unsaturated fatty acids especially oleic acid that prevents coronary diseases.
Growth and Development
Peanuts are rich in proteins. The amino acids present in them are good for proper growth and development of body.
Rich in Energy
Peanuts contain vitamins, minerals, nutrients and anti-oxidants and thus are rich energy sources.
Peanut benefits for skin
- Beta carotene (8), an antioxidant found in peanuts is very critical for skin’s health. It is converted into Vitamin A in the body which helps in the growth and repair of body tissues. Thus peanut benefits help to heal wounds and bruises at a faster pace.
- Peanuts are packed with omega 3 fatty acids which help our skin in many ways. Omega 3 fatty acids reduce inflammation in the body to prevent skin eruptions. It lowers the risk of developing squamous cell skin cancer. It also moisturizes and hydrates the skin from within to treat dry and scaly skin.
- Peanuts are very effective for treating skin problems like pustules, skin rashes and rosacea (9).
- Applying natural peanuts butter on the face clears away the dirt and impurities to give you a healthy looking skin. Wash your face with a cleanser and then apply peanut butter on your entire face. Allow the mask to dry and then wash it off by massaging your skin slowly in circular motions. Rinse your face with warm water and pat dry. Do a patch test first and then apply it to the entire face as allergic reactions are very common side effects of peanuts.
- Fiber in nuts is essential for the elimination of toxins and waste. Toxins inside the body reflect on our outside appearance, causing breakout, dullness and excess oil. Eating peanuts regularly helps flush out excess toxins from the body to give you a healthy skin.
- Peanut benefits is loaded with magnesium which calms our nerve, muscles and blood vessels to provide better blood flow to the skin gives youthful and healthy skin.
- Skin damage occurs as a result of oxidation, a chemical process in which unstable molecules called free radicals steal electrons from healthy cells. Vitamin E in peanuts defends our skin’s cells against the damage of oxidative stress. It guards our skin from the harsh UV rays of the sun to protect against sun burn and skin damage.
- Peanuts contains significant amount of Vitamin C which is required for the production of collagen. Collagen is required to sustain tendons, skin and cartilage. It provides firmness and elasticity to the skin to keep it young and supple.
- The anti-inflammatory properties of peanuts treat skin disorders like psoriasis (10) and eczema (11). The fatty acids present in peanuts benefits in reducing swelling and skin redness. Peanuts contain Vitamin E, zinc and magnesium, which keeps the skin glowing from within and fights the bacteria that lead to acne. The protein in peanuts also helps with cell regeneration.
- Peanuts contain a relatively good amount of fatty acids which is believed to be critical to the brain’s nerve cells. This brain friendly cell helps with stress management and mood swings to prevent various skin disorders like wrinkles, fine line and dullness.
Peanuts benefits for hair
- Deficiency in vitamin E can lead to brittle and weak hair which can easily break. Including proper level of vitamin E in your diet ensures that the hair roots receive a rich supply of hair healthy vitamins to keep them strong and healthy.
- Peanut benefits contain several hair friendly nutrients that are beneficial for maintaining healthy hair. It contains a high level of omega 3 fatty acids which strengthens scalp health and hair follicles to promote hair growth.
- It is an excellent source of l-arginine (12), an amino acid which is very helpful for treating male pattern baldness and to encourage the growth of healthy hair. It also improves the health of artery walls and prevents blood clotting to improve blood flow. A proper blood flow throughout the body and hair is imperative to get healthy and strong hair.
